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Offset matrix adapter for toy construction setsOffset matrix adapter for toy construction sets description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080090485, Offset matrix adapter for toy construction sets. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is related generally to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/146,971, filed Jun. 7, 2005. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002]The above mentioned copending application is directed to concepts for integrating the well known K'nex rod and connector construction toy system with brick style construction toy systems, such as Lego and Mega Bloks, for example. Techniques described in the copending application for this purpose involve, among other things, special sizing of the K'nex rod and connector elements for universal compatibility with the well known brick-type construction toy systems, which utilize bricks of standard sizes. The existing brick-type systems are based upon standardized lateral and longitudinal spacing of studs, which project upward from the brick elements and enable such elements to be frictionally connected with similar brick elements positioned directly above. In the system of the above described copending application, special adapter bricks are provided, dimensioned to correspond with existing bricks and which include uniformly spaced vertical sockets, positioned between sets of studs, for receiving special adapter pins. The adapter pins include upwardly projecting end portions configured to engage with connector elements of the K'nex system. The arrangement is such that the K'nex rods and connectors may be joined with brick assemblies at points spaced longitudinally, transversely or diagonally, to accommodate complex integration of K'nex and brick-type structures. [0003]Whereas the above described arrangement for integrating K'nex and brick-type construction toy systems is highly advantageous and useful, it does not easily accommodate the use of the substantial base of existing sizes of K'nex rod and connector elements, with the existing base of Lego-type bricks. The existing K'nex rods and connectors were initially sized without any reference to common brick-type construction sets and are thus dimensionally incompatible with the spacing intervals employed in the common brick-type systems. In general, the use of standard elements of one system has required the elements of the other system to be redimensioned for full compatibility. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]In accordance with the present invention, the structural integration of the existing K'nex components with existing, standard-sized brick-type components can be accomplished through the use of special offset matrix adapter elements, which are engageable with brick system components having a standard stud spacing and otherwise being fully dimensionally compatible with Lego and similar systems. The system of the invention includes Lego-compatible bricks or panels which have been provided between pairs of studs with vertically opening adapter sockets for receiving adapter elements. These sockets are formed in bricks or panels that otherwise dimensionally correspond to standard Lego-type systems, and the adapter sockets are provided within these dimensional limitations so as to not compromise in any way the total compatibility of the adapter brick or panel elements with otherwise fully conventional, standard-size Lego-type elements. [0005]In a standard size Lego-type system, the studs are spaced apart longitudinally and transversely by a distance of approximately 0.315 inch (8.0 mm). The adapter sockets provided in the adapter panels or bricks are, in accordance with the present invention, spaced uniformly, centered among a group of four studs, and thus are also spaced apart with a standardized spacing of 0.315 inch (8.0 mm). In a solid panel, this 0.315 inch (8.0 mm) spacing would exist both longitudinally and transversely, preferably over the entire area of the panel. In a side-by-side assembly of bricks, the surface area presented of the brick assembly is interrupted by joints between adjacent, contacting bricks. Wherever there is a joint between adjacent bricks, there typically is no adapter socket, so there will be interruptions in the spacing of adapter sockets over the surface of an assembly made up of a plurality of bricks joined side wall to side wall. However, the spacing matrix remains the same, in that the length and width dimensioning of the bricks is such that, adjacent adapter sockets in a pair of adjacent bricks are simply spaced apart by twice the usual 0.315 inch (8.0 mm) spacing. The overall spacing matrix remains consistent throughout the entire assembly of bricks, notwithstanding the absence of sockets in locations where bricks are joined side wall to side wall. [0006]The K'nex rod and connector system comprises a plurality of hub and spoke-type connector elements and a plurality of rods of measured lengths. The connector elements are formed with a central hub and one or more rod-engaging sockets extending radially from the hub. The base of the socket is, in all cases, a fixed distance from the central axis of the hub. The basic principles of the K'nex system are set forth in the Glickman U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,219 and 5,199,919, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed in said patents, the lengths of the rods follow a progression according to the formula 2D+L.sub.x=0.707*(2D+L.sub.x+1), where D equals the distance from the center axis of a connector to the base of its sockets, and L equals the length of a rod. In a typical building set, there is a progression of rod lengths from minimum to maximum, all dimensioned according to the foregoing formula. [0007]Currently, K'nex sets are marketed in two principal sizes, "Classic", which is the larger of the two, and "Micro", which is smaller. In a "Classic" K'nex set, the rod lengths may be provided in a progression ranging from approximately 0.61 inch (15.49 mm) to approximately 7.560 inches (192 mm), according to the foregoing progression. For a typical "Micro" set, the component parts are smaller in all respects, and the rod length progression may extend over a range from about 0.5625 (14.29 mm), for the shortest rod, to about 7.874 inches (200 mm) for the longest rod. Typically, all the dimensions of the "Micro" set are scaled down as compared to the components of the "Classic" set. For example, as the diameter of the rods of the "Classic" set may be approximately one-quarter inch, those of the "Micro" set may be approximately 0.152 inch (3.86 mm). The distance D.sub.m from the hub axes to the socket base of a Micro-size connector, is 0.241 inch (6.12 mm), whereas the distance D.sub.c for the "Classic" set is 0.398 inch (10.1 mm). [0008]Inasmuch as the K'nex rod and connector systems were designed and developed without reference to the Lego-type brick construction systems, there is no inherent compatibility between the two to enable the two systems to be integrated in a way to enable complex structures to be assembled utilizing components of both systems to form unique and advantageous hybrid structures. [0009]Pursuant to the invention, special matrix adapters are provided, which can be assembled with the beforementioned special adapter bricks. These matrix adapters are uniquely configured to position K'nex-compatible elements on a standard brick matrix in such a manner that the K'nex-compatible elements are spaced appropriately for incorporation into complex hybrid structures. The concepts of the invention enable this to be accomplished, using either "Classic" or "Micro" K'nex components or, in appropriate cases, both. [0010]The objectives of the invention are accomplished by providing special matrix adapter elements with spaced apart stems, which are received in sockets in special Lego-compatible bricks or panels and extend upward therefrom. The spaced apart stems support an adapter rod in a generally horizontal orientation, with the axis of the adapter rod being offset laterally from the vertical axes of the stem elements. The extent of the lateral offset is such that by positioning the offset in one direction or the other, the otherwise incompatible dimensions of the brick system can be almost completely eliminated and, for practical purposes, ignored. [0011]With different rod lengths of the K'nex components, spacing "errors" between the brick system and the K'nex system can vary, being positive in some cases and negative in others. This is readily accommodated in accordance with the invention, however, by the ability to reverse the orientation of the matrix adapters, such that the offset of the adapter rod adds or subtracts distance relative to the underlying sockets of the brick system as necessary to achieve substantial alignment. Accordingly, with a single adapter configuration (one for the "Classic" size and one for the "Micro" size), all of the otherwise incompatible spacings between the K'nex system and brick systems can be accommodated. Thus, with a few relatively simple components, it is possible to fully integrate a standard, preexisting Lego-type brick construction set with a standard, preexisting K'nex rod and connector construction set. [0012]For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, and to the accompanying drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]FIG. 1a is a perspective view illustrating a panel compatible with a Lego-type brick construction system, illustrated with assembled components from a "Classic" K'nex rod and connector system, and utilizing novel matrix adapter elements according to the invention. [0014]FIG. 1b is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1a, illustrating a brick-compatible panel on which are mounted elements of a "Micro" K'nex rod and connector system. [0015]FIG. 2a is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1a. [0016]FIG. 2b is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1b. [0017]FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views of matrix adapter elements according to the invention sized respectively for K'nex "Classic" and "Micro" rod and connector systems. [0018]FIGS. 4a and 4b are front elevational views of the matrix adapter elements of FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively. [0019]FIGS. 5a and 5b are end elevational views of the respective matrix adapters. [0020]FIGS. 6a and 6b are enlarged fragmentary elevational views showing details of the lower end portions of stem portions of the respective matrix adapters. Continue reading about Offset matrix adapter for toy construction sets... Full patent description for Offset matrix adapter for toy construction sets Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Offset matrix adapter for toy construction sets patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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